Foot Anstey supports leading companies through restructurings, corporate transactional support, and sensitive litigation, with specialised expertise in the retail, consumer, and public equity sectors. In Exeter, practice head Karen Bates has notable experience defending clients in tribunal claims, as well as advising on industrial relations strategy, while Truro-based Patrick Howarth specialises in trade union and collective bargaining issues. TUPE-expert Nathalie Ingles handles large scale redundancies and restructurings and Claire Holland comes recommended for her deep private equity expertise.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'We have always benefitted from the team's calm and understanding manner. Their pragmatic style, coupled with clear explanations, makes for a disciplined approach. They have great interpersonal skills and are adept at offering considered thought, through explaining a range of options.'
- 'My interactions with the team have always been professional, with them demonstrating a range of highly effective interpersonal skills.'
- 'A team that get to know your business and the nuances so they can provide the best and pragmatic advice.'
- 'Karen Bates has provided stand out service to me and my team. They have felt like an extension of our team owing to how they know our business, the nuances, and the matters at play. We get tailored advice and not just options, we get pragmatic solutions to help us progress the business in the right way.'
- 'Claire Holland is brilliant, responsive, clear with her advice, explains everything very clearly, and considers the risk attached. I always feel confident with what next steps to take after speaking to Claire and I would highly recommend Claire for any employment law advice, especially anything TUPE and M&A related.'
- 'What makes the practice unique is their ability to get to know and understand their client in order to provide the most practical advice and support on a variety of contentious and non-contentious work.'
Key clients
- Admiral Group PLC
- South Tees Development Corporation
- Revolution Beauty PLC
- Livewell Southwest CIC
- Gregory Distribution
- Allpoints Fibre Networks Limited
- Danish Crown UK Ltd
- White Bear Capital Limited
- Stanley Capital Partners LLP
- Trufin Plc
- Rhubarb Food Design Limited/Oak View Group
- Mega International Limited
Work highlights
Advised the Admiral Legal and HR Teams, primarily in respect of complex TUPE and IR35 matters.
Advising the Gregory Distribution HR team (including the HR team in Scotland) on a broad range of employment issues.
Advised the South Tees Development Corporation (STDC) and its associated group companies on the disposal of its private wire electricity network at the Teesworks Estate to a newly established joint-venture company, Steel River Power Limited, including advice and support on the requirements of TUPE to the same.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Practice head
Karen Bates
Other key lawyers
Patrick Howarth; Claire Holland; Nathalie Ingles; Gemma Robinson